February 16, 2006

Group says Fairbanks diocese is withholding documents in abuse case

FAIRBANKS (AK)
KTVA

Associated Press

A group for survivors of priest sexual abuse says Fairbanks Catholic officials are trying to keep records of an accused priest secret as the case heads for trial at the end of the month.

The Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests sent a letter to Bishop Donald Kettler today. The group asks that Fairbanks diocese officials: "stop stonewalling" and allow the release of all documents pertaining to the Reverend James Poole.

The 82-year-old retired Jesuit priest was recently severed from the civil lawsuit, which was filed by a woman alleging she was abused in the mid-1970s.

Posted by kshaw at February 16, 2006 07:25 AM